• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Mommy Musings

  • Home
  • Food
    • Appetizers
    • Beverages
    • Breakfast
    • Desserts
    • Holiday
    • Main Dishes
    • Side Dishes
    • Snacks
    • Soups
  • Travel
    • Cruises
      • Carnival
      • Disney Cruise Line
      • Holland America
      • Norwegian Cruise Line
    • United States
      • Florida
      • Hawaii
      • Illinois
      • Louisiana
      • Michigan
      • Tennessee
    • Canada
    • Caribbean
    • Mexico
    • Europe
    • Asia
    • South America
    • Theme Parks
      • Disney World
      • Disneyland
      • Legoland Florida
  • Lifestyle
  • DIY
  • Recipe Index
  • Work with Me
    • PR Request
  • Navigation Menu: Social Icons

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Food
  • DIY
  • Travel
  • Lifestyle
  • Entertainment
  • Recipe Index
×

Home >> Travel >> Theme Parks >> Disney World >> Tips for Attending Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party

Tips for Attending Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party

Published: Sep 2, 2018 · Modified: Nov 1, 2021 by Stefanie Fauquet · This post may contain affiliate links · 14 Comments

11.3K shares
  • Share141
  • Tweet

Going to MNSSHP this year? Here are some of the best Tips for attending Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party at Walt Disney World.

Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party is hands-down our favorite Disney World ticketed event. It's a fun, good-spirited evening that the whole family can enjoy together. Since it is Not-So-Scary, even little ones who are typically scared of Halloween themes can have a great time.

tips for attending mickey's not so scary halloween party

My family just attended our tenth Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party — you can check out some of my past reviews (with pictures!) here, here, here, here & here. Over the years, we've gotten pretty used to the in's and out's, and what to expect at MNSSHP. I know many visitors will be attending Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween for the first time, so I thought I would offer some helpful tips to get the most out of your evening.

Tips for Attending Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party at the Magic Kingdomdisney mickey halloween party

Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party Tips

→ Costumes are fun, but not mandatory. In the ten years that we have attended MNSSHP, we have gone both casual and in full costume. Every single time my daughter wears a costume, she ends up stripping most of it off by the end of the night. Be prepared to carry items like headpieces and wings.

Also, consider bringing an extra outfit to change into at the end of the evening. When my daughter was younger, we would bring Halloween themed PJ's for her change of clothes, making it easy to put her to bed once we arrived back at the hotel after midnight.

mickey's not so scary halloween party costumes

→ If you do wear a costume, check the weather. Keep in mind Florida is hot in August, September, and October— shorts and a Halloween-themed shirt or tank top are perfectly acceptable. Long sleeves and pants are often too much. This is one time where light and breathable fabrics will be your friend, especially on children. If costumes aren't your thing, both the Disney Store and Amazon have a cute selection of Disney Halloween tees and accessories ... or make your own!

→ If there is rain in the forecast, pack umbrellas or better yet, ponchos for the entire family. In inclement weather, the parade and fireworks show may be canceled. Additionally, certain rides and attractions may close temporarily due to lightning. All of this is unpredictable.

mnsshp costumes

→ Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party officially starts at 7:00 pm and ends at midnight. However, it's a little-known secret that party-goers can get into the Magic Kingdom as early as 4:00 pm. We like to get there around 5:00-5:30 pm and eat dinner at one of the monorail hotels, or in the park, and then hit some of the rides.

Daytime Magic Kingdom guests are supposed to leave by 6:00 pm, so this is the best time to do attractions like the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and Big Thunder Mountain. During the party, FastPass+ is not available, but most lines are under 20 minutes. The wait time this year for the Seven Dwarfs' Mine Train was 25 minutes— this was our longest wait time for any ride during the party.

Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party ride times

mnsshp haunted mansion

→ Both adults and children can trick-or-treat around the park. When you enter the Magic Kingdom for MNSSHP, everyone is given a party wristband— once inside, you can get a treat bag at any treat station. The first official treat stop is to your right as you enter Main Street USA. If candy is what you're after, there are no limits to how many times you can go through a treat line— just look for the tall Mickey balloons that say "treats" on top!

mickey's not so scary Halloween party treat stops

→ For those with food allergies or dietary needs such as vegan and gluten-free, a special teal trick bag is available for trick-or-treating around the park. Instead of getting candy at each of the stops, guests are given teal tokens that can be redeemed for allergy-friendly treats at either the Town Square Theater or Liberty Square Ticket Office. Just see a cast member at any treat station for a teal bag.

trick or treating at Disney Worldmickey's not so scary allergy free candy

Here are some of the treats we received this year with each of the treat bags.

Regular MNSSHP Treat Bag Candy

mickey's not so scary halloween party candy

Allergy-Friendy MNSSHP Teal Treat Bag Candy

allergy friendly treat bag mnsshp candy

→ TIP: Bring along an extra bag, such as a reusable tote, to combine candy at the end of the night.

→ Do not miss the "Boo to You" Parade! This parade is just as much fun for adults as it is for children (beware, the parade song will stick in your head long after the party has ended!) Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Parade times are 9:15 pm and 11:15 pm. We like to get a hot dog at Casey's Corner and sit on the curb on Main Street and wait for the parade to start (at least 30 mins prior). Happy HalloWishes, the fireworks show, is at 10:15 pm.

MNSSHP "Boo to You" Parade

→ Specialty themed event merchandise, including apparel, pins, ornaments and Magic Bands, are available for purchase at the Emporium, Big Top Souvenirs, Frontier Trading Post and Curtain Call Collectibles.

mickey's not so scary halloween party merchandise

→ This year, six new specialty dessert items are available during the party: Jack Skellington Cake Push Pop at Sleepy Hollow, Worms & Dirt at Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn, Hitchhiking Ghost Dessert at Aloha Isle, Zero Waffle Sundae at Sleepy Hollow, Madame Leota Dessert at Liberty Square Market and Oogie Boogie Meringue at Gaston’s Tavern. You can also buy an exclusive refillable Oogie Boogie Base Popcorn Bucket during MNSSHP. Check the party map for locations.

DIsney halloween treats

→ Have a plan of action! Even with the party lasting 5 hours (and even more if you get there early), there is a lot to see and do, and most likely, you won't get to it all. My best advice is to decide in advance what things are most important to you and do those first. If you want a picture with rare characters, like Jack Skellington and Sally or the Seven Dwarfs, plan to do that first. Be sure to grab a party map as you enter for character & dance party times and locations.

mnsshp map 2018

→ Only select counter service locations are open during MNSSHP. If you don't eat dinner before Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party, be aware of the closing times for counter service restaurants. Casey's Corner and Cosmic Rays are typically open the latest, until park closing.

→ If you play Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom, there is an exclusive MNSSHP game card inspired by the Orange Bird available for free at the Firehouse on Main Street, U.S.A.

sorcerers of the magic kingdom Mickey's not so scary halloween party

“Orange Bird’s Juice-o-Lanterns” Spell Card

sorcerers of the magic kingdom tips

→ Purchase Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party tickets in advance to save money! The party is already a great deal, but if you buy online in advance of the party day, you can save on every ticket. MNSSHP ticket prices increase as we get closer to Halloween, with the last two parties selling out first. There are no guarantees that tickets will be available at the gate on any party day.

mickey's not so scary halloween party tickets

Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party Dates 2019:

August: 16, 20, 23, 27 and 30

September: 2, 6, 8, 10, 13, 15, 17, 20, 22, 24, 27 and 29

October: 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 11, 14, 15, 17, 18, 20, 21, 24, 25, 27, 29 and 31

November: 1

Tickets can be purchased online at disneyworld.com/halloween.

mickey's not so scary halloween party tips

best mnsshp tips

Other Posts You Might Like:

  • Disney Pumpkin Stencils
  • Mickey Cinnamon Rolls for Halloween
  • Disney Villain Pumpkin Templates
  • Halloween Dinner Recipes
  • Halloween Lunchbox Notes
  • Halloween Crafts for Kids
  • Spider Cookies
« Instant Chicken Chow Mein Noodles Soup Recipe Hack
Moving Beyond Beer in Prague »
11.3K shares
  • Share141
  • Tweet

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Janice Cooper

    September 30, 2011 at 7:27 pm

    Thanks for sharing! I love Disneyworld and I always wanted to go during Halloween. Looks like so much fun! Maybe one day.

    Reply
  2. kelly

    October 02, 2011 at 10:30 pm

    When you said they let you in early, was that just with the MNSSHP ticket, or did you have another ticket? I'd love to get in as early as we can but I don't want to show up and 5 and have kids (and husband) getting cranky hair standing outside the park.

    Reply
  3. admin

    October 03, 2011 at 10:43 pm

    Kelly,

    No, we did not have another ticket-- just a MNSSHP ticket 🙂 You should have no problem getting in at 5pm.

    Reply
  4. Lisa McPherson

    October 04, 2011 at 8:14 pm

    We are attending this weekend & now I have a better idea of what to expect for this event. Thank you for posting this!

    Lisa

    Reply
  5. Susan

    October 11, 2017 at 10:05 am

    I was not impressed with any part of mnsh,won't do it again

    Reply
    • Peg P

      October 28, 2017 at 10:44 pm

      I agree! It's a total rip off!

      Reply
      • Ashley

        August 05, 2018 at 11:26 pm

        I thought it was great and if u er there at 4pm u get a full 8 hours for a little less money

        Reply
  6. Peg P

    October 28, 2017 at 10:53 pm

    My best advice to anyone contemplating doing the Not So Scary Halloween Party is - DON'T! Save your money for something else!

    While it's true the non-party goers are ushered out of the park at 7, you can't really tell a difference. It's still incredibly crowded. What makes the crowd at this party worse is that you can't get any Fast Passes after 7. The theory is that you don't need them since it's only party goers in the park. WRONG! We couldn't ride many of the rides because the wait was so long. Some had over an hour wait times.

    Everyone says you can trick-or-treat for the duration of the party. That's not true, either. We tried to finish after the Boo to You Parade was over, but all the treat spots had closed. So what we got before the party was all we got.

    The only special characters we saw the entire party were Tarzan & Jane. I couldn't even tell you where any of the other ones were at, even with having a guide that had Mickey heads denoting character locations.

    I paid over $100 for me and my granddaughter to attend this. We left early, before the fireworks, because she was so frustrated and wanted to go back to the resort.

    TOTAL waste of money!

    Reply
    • Stefanie Fauquet

      October 28, 2017 at 11:16 pm

      Wow! I am so sorry to hear this! I've been attending for over 10 years and have not experienced lines longer than 30 minutes, except for Mine Train— this year the line was up to 50 minutes and we skipped it. Treat stop have been open for us from open to close. We just stopped whenever we saw one as we walked around the park. When compared to a single day ticket I still think it's a great value.

      Reply
  7. Bethany

    August 28, 2018 at 7:10 pm

    Great tips! We can’t wait to attend the Halloween Party!! Thanks for sharing!

    Bethany Wilson | http://www.mycaffeinatedchaos.com

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Welcome!

Welcome to Mommy Musings™ - I'm Stefanie Fauquet and my passions are food & family travel! I regularly share easy recipes and travel tips to inspire families to create a life they love...one that's full of delicious food and incredible adventures!

📧 [email protected]

Recent Posts

  • The Ultimate List of Valentine's Day Gifts For Women
  • Kid's Educational Gift Guide Ages 6 to 12
  • Teen Girl Holiday Gift Guide
  • Holiday Gift Guide for Moms
  • Cook's and Foodies' Gift Guide

Pages

  • PR Request
  • Privacy Policy
  • Recipe Index
  • Work with Me

Footer

Mommy Musings™ is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com

Copyright © 2023 Mommy Musings®

11.3K shares